Ten Journal Star-area boys basketball players to watch

Wednesday

A list of Journal Star-area boys basketball players to watch in the Mid-Illini and Mid-State 6 Conferences.

Ten Journal Star-area boys basketball players to watch

(Players listed in alphabetical order)

T.J. COLE, Richwoods (6-4 jr. F): Versatile player doesn't yet have the size of big brother Bill Cole, a two-time Journal Star Player of the Year, but might have a better all-around game. Averaged 4.6 ppg/4.8 rpg as a soph. for a balanced team.

BOBO DRUMMOND, Central (5-8 fr. PG): Nephew of former playground legend Kenny Drummond has already been labeled as the next big thing in Peoria basketball. 'He can score, dish, defend and he's a tough kid,' Loins coach Dan Ruffin said of the Sterling Middle School product. 'Bobo is the real deal.'

PARIS GULLEY, Manual (6-1 sr. G): All-state as a junior, son of Manual all-stater Tony Gulley opened his senior season by making 14 of 17 shots for 30 points. Has mid-major interest, but currently no offers.

ANDREW JORDAN, Woodruff (6-4 soph. G): Was rostered as a 6-5 F in a freshman season that drew Division 1 interest. After exploring other programs this summer, Jordan (8.0 ppg/7.1 rpg) could be the key to Woodruff's best team since '90-91 group was 18-10.

NICK ROCHFORD, Notre Dame (5-10 jr. PG): Heady player will be responsible for leading a young-but-talented Irish team in his third year on varsity. Chipped in 6.5 ppg/4.6 apg while helping ND to 18 wins last year.

ZEKE SCHNEIDER, Metamora (6-10 sr. C): Area's tallest player could average a double-double this year after 20.1 ppg/6.7 rpg as a junior. Summer spent with the Illinois Wolves raised college profile to D-I interest and should have a scholarship this spring.

DYRICUS SIMMS-EDWARDS, Washington (6-3 sr. PG): Minor injuries to his foot and hand dropped Simms-Edwards off the summer circuit and off most expert's lists as one of the state's top players. It shouldn't take long for the JS-area's top player to remind everyone what the growing hype during a 17.5 ppg junior season was all about.

DONIVINE STEWART, Limestone (6-0 soph. PG): Second-team all-state after scoring 24.3 ppg as a freshman, a summer growth spurt has this floor leader on the wish list of most every high-major in the country. Coach Dan Sparrow says Stewart's outside shot has 'gotten tremendously better,' but he's also happy to report Stewart made the honor roll first quarter.

DEMARIUS SUMRELL, Limestone (6-1 sr. G/F): Highest hops in the area lets this freakish athlete play way above the rim. Disruptive on defense, averaged 18.1 ppg/7.0 rpg last year. Receiving D-I interest, but likely to start at a two-year program.

BEN WORNER, Washington (6-3 sr. 2G): Playing the summer without Simms-Edwards forced Panthers' best shooter into the PG role. The result was improved ball handling and decision making, which should help Worner (8.4 ppg/.857 FT percentage) fill the void left by Matt Roth.

Others to watch

Look for Canton's 6-0 sr. F Zach Pritchard to lead the Little Giants in the 2A postseason. ... Central is looking for a breakout year from 6-4 soph. F Travis Kellum. ... Cameron Smith, a 6-4 jr., could be Dunlap's best player. ... All M-I last season, 6-1 sr. G Bryce Donaldson (12.3 ppg) should help East Peoria return to the top half of the league standings for the first time in eight years. ... Baseball is Joe Kelch's best sport, but the 5-8 soph. is a solid PG for East Peoria. ... C.J. March (5-11 sr. G) and Julian Washington (6-2 sr. G) complement Gulley in Manual's loaded backcourt and join him on the school's honor roll. ... A shooter's touch in a banger's body, 6-4 Metamora jr. J.D. Kamp (10.8 ppg/.842 FT percentage) could be the breakout player in the M-I if he improves the strong inside/outside game he showed as a soph. ... Kevin Waibel (6-7 sr. F) was second in scoring (10.5 ppg/4.3 rpg) for Morton last season. ... Formerly a PG at Christ Lutheran, Notre Dame 6-4 jr. G/F Justin Smith is playing above the rim. ... According to ND coach Eddie Mathews, Irish 5-8 sr. G Charlie Bryant is nicknamed Cello because 'he plays sweet music.' ... ND 6-6 soph. C Max Bielfeldt grew four inches and has a soft touch to go with his big frame. ... Like Manual's talented trio, it's hard to separate Richwoods' backcourt of 5-11 jr. Tylon Deal, 6-0 sr. Jontell Lindsay and 6-0 jr. Aaron Davis. Together, they will make the Knights one of the best teams in 3A. ... After a successful football season, 6-3 sr. F Walter Burns returns team-leading 10 ppg to Woodruff.

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